While the concept of equirectangular images is mathematical, in engineering and visualization projects the challenge is how to actually create, validate, and deploy them. Below is a structured workflow.

Creating and Validating an Equirectangular 360° JPG/PNG

While the concept of equirectangular images is mathematical, in engineering and visualization projects the challenge is how to actually create, validate, and deploy them. Below is a structured workflow.

Step 1 – Capture the Environment

1. Using a 360° Camera
   • Devices such as Ricoh Theta, Insta360, or GoPro Max capture dual fisheye images.
   • Each fisheye covers ~180°; the camera’s firmware later merges them into a single panorama.
2. Using a DSLR with Fisheye Lens
   • Multiple overlapping shots are taken by rotating the camera on a panoramic head.
   • This method is used in professional survey documentation and photogrammetry.

Step 2 – Stitching into Equirectangular Projection

• Camera software: Most consumer 360° cameras automatically output stitched JPG/PNG in 2:1 ratio.
• Professional tools:
  • PTGui
  • [Kolor Autopano (discontinued but still used in industry archives)]
  • Open-source alternatives like Hugin

The output must respect the 2:1 aspect ratio, otherwise VR players won’t interpret it correctly.

Step 3 – Embedding Metadata

360° platforms (YouTube, Facebook, engineering viewers) rely on metadata:

• XMP Spherical Metadata: Identifies the file as a 360° panorama.
• Tools:
  • ExifTool (command-line) → allows inserting ProjectionType=equirectangular.
  • Google’s Spatial Media Metadata Injector → used before uploading to platforms.

Without this step, the image may appear as a flat panorama instead of interactive.

Step 4 – Choosing Format: JPG vs PNG

• JPG:
  • Smaller file size, easier for web and mobile.
  • May introduce compression artifacts at high zoom in VR.
• PNG:
  • Lossless, supports alpha channel (useful for overlays, masks).
  • Heavier; recommended when reprocessing multiple times in CAD/VR pipelines.

Step 5 – Validation in a 360° Viewer

To ensure the image is correct:

• Local Validation
  • Open with a viewer like FSPViewer or Panellum (WebGL).
  • In engineering contexts, integration into Unity or Unreal Engine confirms real-time mapping.
• Online Validation
  • Upload to a platform that supports 360° (YouTube, Matterport, SharePoint SPFx web parts).
  • Check for seam alignment, pole distortion, and metadata recognition.

Step 6 – Integration into Engineering Workflows

1. Digital Twin Platforms
   • Use equirectangular 360° images as environmental backdrops aligned with CAD or LiDAR models.
   • Many platforms (Bentley iTwin, Dassault ENOVIA) allow hybrid visualization.
2. Web Deployment
   • Open-source libraries like Panellum or A-Frame make it possible to integrate 360° JPG/PNG directly in browsers.
   • In SharePoint, a custom SPFx web part can be used to load the 360° image into a canvas for immersive navigation.
3. Validation in Engineering Reports
   • Export a reduced version for documentation (e.g., 2000×1000 px JPG).
   • Keep the full-resolution master (e.g., 8000×4000 PNG) archived for precise inspections.

Step 7 – Quality Control

• Check resolution: at least 4096×2048 px for professional use.
• Inspect stitching: look for ghosting at seams.
• Verify metadata: test in multiple players.
• Compression balance: optimize JPG with 85–90% quality for web.

Summary Table

This complete workflow ensures that an equirectangular 360° JPG/PNG moves reliably from capture to engineering visualization without loss of integrity.